Saint Joseph Catholic Church

Three groups of martyrs were beatified in two separate Masses on December 13.

“Working on one’s own feelings and thoughts” is “necessary for those deprived of their freedom, but even more so for those who have the obligation of representing them and making sure that they are treated justly,” Pope Leo preached. “The Jubilee is a call to conversion and, as such, it is a source of hope and joy.”

The Pope added, “Let no one be lost! Let all be saved! This is what our God wants, this is his Kingdom, and this is the goal of his actions in the world.”

The title of Father Roberto Pasolini’s sermon was “Rebuilding the Lord’s house: A Church without contrapositions.” The sermon had five sections, devoted to “The illusion of uniformity,” “Confusion as therapy,” “The temple to be rebuilt,” “The renewal of the Church,” and “Interpreting decline.”

The overall theme of the Capuchin Franciscan’s series of Advent sermons is “Awaiting and hastening the coming of the day of God: Jubilee hope between waiting for the Lord and the universality of salvation.” The theme of the first sermon was “The Parousia of the Lord: An expectation without hesitation.”

The Pontiff prayed that the Blessed Virgin “teach nations that want to be your children not to divide the world into irreconcilable factions, not to allow hatred to mark their history or lies to write their memory.”

“Instruct their leaders in their duty to safeguard the dignity of every person during all stages of their life,” he added.

“Being both authentic Christians and honest citizens means sharing a vocabulary capable of telling things as they are, without duplicity, cultivating harmony among people,” the Pope said. He said that mutual understanding and trust are keys to resolving international tensions.

The Lai trial has been roundly condemned by international observers. The former media tycoon, who has been imprisoned for five years, declined to leave Hong Kong in order to challenge draconian “national-security” laws that effectively make criticism of the government illegal.

The British government, the former colonial ruler of Hong Kong, decried the verdict. US President Trump has promised to push for Lai’s release.

The Pope made his remarks during an audience with volunteers who had donated the Christmas tree in St. Peter’s Square, and set up the Nativity scenes in the square and in the Paul VI auditorium.